Public News Service
Without Action from Lawmakers, NC’s Child Uninsured Rate Expected to Rise
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In our state, over 1 million people are without health insurance. Many of NC’s uninsured are working on the front lines of COVID-19 – in places like child care, food service, and nursing homes. Expanding Medicaid can help working families pull through incredibly difficult times. The economic impacts of the pandemic have hit low-wage working North Carolinians hardest of all. Expanding Medicaid right now will make sure that people who lost hours or jobs can still get affordable health care.
Expanding Medicaid could make all the difference. Lend your voice to help bring affordable healthcare to North Carolina families!
The latest federal COVID-19 relief bill would provide even more funds for the state’s existing Medicaid program, which mostly covers children and disabled adults. Expanding Medicaid would bring affordable health coverage to at least 100,000 low-income parents with children at home.
Let’s Expand Medicaid so North Carolina can build back stronger!
Ask them to support legislation to bring affordable health care to North Carolina’s hard-working families.
The best tool we have is our numbers, our voices, and our networks—relatives, friends, neighbors, coworkers. We’ll keep you posted on opportunities to make your voice heard.
Candice is a mother of three. She works from home as a freelancer, and taking care of her 23 year-old son who has been diagnosed with autism, epilepsy, and kidney disease. Mrs. Grant is a kidney transplant survivor herself, and has to take medication for the rest of her life. Her family often finds that they struggle to afford that life-saving care out-of-pocket.
Affordable health insurance could play a huge role in supporting families of children with special health care needs in our state.
North Carolinians share their experiences of life without health coverage, in their own words.
North Carolina’s leaders have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to bring affordable health coverage to our state so we can build back stronger from COVID-19. States are making changes to Medicaid to protect their residents from COVID-19. North Carolina can, too.
Most states have already taken this step. 38 other states have taken the federal funding to expand Medicaid. They are experiencing better health outcomes and positive fiscal impact. Not one state has reversed this decision since 2010.
Health care providers are calling for Medicaid expansion to fight COVID-19. Expanding Medicaid would bring in much more funding for rural hospitals. Since 2010, seven rural hospitals have closed in North Carolina. We cannot afford to lose any more health care capacity.
Affordable health coverage helps small businesses. Many small businesses can’t afford to offer health coverage to employees – even in the best of times. Expanding Medicaid can build a healthier workforce for businesses like restaurants, tourism, and child care, hit hardest by COVID-19.
